Donors' Conference to Take Place in June

Saturday February 05, 2011 00:39 by David Hearne - 1 of International Middle East Media Center Editorial Group

A new international donors' conference to a Palestinian State will take place in Paris in June, according to the Quartet on the Middle East.

After talks between the Quartet, donors and the PA, a statement was released announcing the conference. The group also called on Israel to ease movement restrictions on Palestinians. The blockade on Gaza was specifically mentioned with a view to ending it as soon as possible.

The meeting was hosted by the French foreign minister reviewing progress following the 2007 conference at which $7.7bn was pledged in aid to the Palestinians. The conference was attended by Salam Fayyed, the Palestinian Prime Minister, and representatives of the Quartet. Earlier on Thursday, the French Prime Minister, François Fillon, stressed that the conference should have a "real political dimension" and help lead towards the creation of a future Palestinian state.

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